Apparatus to support a reel

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for supporting a reel ( 23 ) for rotation, comprising a horizontal member ( 24 ) about which the reel ( 23 ) can be mounted for rotation, a frame assembly ( 11 - 13 ) to support the horizontal member ( 24 ), the frame assembly ( 11 - 13 ) being movable between a raised position where the reel ( 23 ) can rotate without striking the ground and a lowered position where the horizontal member ( 24 ) can pass through the reel ( 23 ) that is on the ground to enable the reel ( 23 ) to be attached to the horizontal member ( 24 ) without lifting the reel ( 23 ) off the ground. The frame assembly ( 11 - 13 ) comprising a pair of leg members ( 11, 12 ), a cross member ( 13 ) and a ground wheel ( 19, 20 ) attached to the lower part of each leg member ( 19, 20 ).

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to an apparatus that can support a reel and particularly a reel that supports a core of wire such as barbed wire, fencing wire, plastic cable, or any other elongate flexible member that is usually provided on a reel. The invention will be described with reference to a wire reel (e.g. barbed wire) but no particular limitation is meant thereby.

BACKGROUND ART

There are many types of products that are sold or provided on a reel. These products include fencing wire such as barbed wire or plain wire, cables such as telephone cables and data cables, pipes such as plastic pipes, soldering wire, copper wire and the like.

The advantage of providing the products on a reel is that a reel can be mounted for rotation about an axle and the required amount of product can be simply pulled off the reel.

The reel (sometimes called a roll) typically comprises a pair of circular end flanges and an elongate hub. The wire is wound about the elongate hub and is held in place by the end flanges.

The size of the reel can vary enormously depending on the type of product. For instance, the hub can have a length of between 20 centimetres up to 3 metres and a diameter of between 10 centimetres up to 1.5 metres. Similarly, the end flanges can have a diameter of anywhere between 10-200 centimetres. The reel may be formed of metal, wood, plastic, composite materials and the like.

It follows that the weight of a large reel can be quite substantial and can be often in excess of 100 kilograms. This makes lifting, transportation and the general operation of the reel difficult for one person.

As an example, fencing wire (typically barbed wire) is sold in lengths of 400-500 metres or more and a reel containing this length of barbed wire can be quite heavy. However, shorter lengths of barbed wire makes it cumbersome to quickly and efficiently string a fence line because of the necessity to tie two ends of the barbed wire together.

There are some instances (for instance, fencing) where the terrain may not be suitable for a vehicle and therefore it becomes necessary to carry the fencing wire, sometimes by quite considerable distances.

Although various devices are known that contain some form of horizontal axle or rod on which the reel can be mounted, and about which the reel can rotate, there are some disadvantages with these devices.

For instance, many known devices are not portable, and if it is necessary to move the device, the device needs to be lifted (typically by two people), and moved into another position. An existing device may be known that contains wheels to make it more portable. However, if wire is pulled from a reel which is supported by this type of device, there is an annoying tendency for the device to move forwardly. Although this can be overcome by providing wheel brakes, this does make the device fairly cumbersome and complicated in design and adds to the expense.

Another disadvantage is that it is necessary for the horizontal axle or rod to be spaced above the ground by a suitable distance such that the reel can rotate about the axle or rod without striking the ground. Thus, it has traditionally been necessary to lift the reel off the ground and onto the horizontal axle or rod. This can be quite difficult for the larger and heavier reels (typically greater than 100 kilograms in weight), and these larger and heavier reels usually need to be lifted by two people. There would be an advantage if it were possible to allow a reel to be mounted onto an axle without needing to lift the reel off the ground.

Another disadvantage with existing devices is that it is sometimes not desirable to have the reel freely rotatable about the horizontal axle. This is because if the wire is pulled off the reel, the reel can rotate faster than the wire is pulled off the reel, which can cause the wire to become loosened about the reel. Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide some form of control of the rotation of the reel about the horizontal axle.

Another disadvantage with existing devices is that, on the one hand there is an advantage in making the device relatively lightweight, but this can result in the device tipping over should wire be pulled from the reel which is supported by the device.

Another disadvantage with existing devices is that the device is usually able to support only one type and size of reel and is therefore not very versatile. Should different types of reels be required, it is generally necessary to provide a number of different devices, which is undesirable.

Another disadvantage with existing devices is that the device that is designed to support the larger and heavier reels, is usually quite large itself and therefore difficult to transport and store when not required.

While most devices are designed to support a reel containing wire (or other type of flexible member), the device is generally not designed to allow wire to be wound onto the reel. Sometimes, it is necessary to wind loose or used wire onto the reel (typically old fencing wire), and it is found that conventional devices are not properly designed or equipped to allow this to occur.

Therefore, there would be an advantage if it were possible to provide an apparatus that could be relatively simple and rugged in design, usually operable by a single person, and which can allow a reel to be transported, stored and used.

It will be clearly understood that, if a prior art publication is referred to herein, this reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or in any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus that can support a reel and which can overcome at least some of the above-mentioned disadvantages or provide a useful or commercial choice.

In one form, the invention resides in an apparatus to support a reel for rotation, the apparatus comprising a horizontal member about which the reel can be mounted for rotation, a frame assembly to support the horizontal member above the ground such that the reel can rotate without striking the ground, the frame assembly being movable between a raised position where an attached reel can rotate without striking the ground, and a lowered position where the horizontal member can pass through a reel that is on the ground to enable the reel to be attached to the horizontal member without lifting the reel off the ground.

The frame assembly may comprise a pair of legs members. Each leg member may support the horizontal member such that the horizontal member can be mounted between the pair of leg members.

The support may comprise a bearing, a bush, a bracket, a coupling, a collar, or any other type of member, means and the like that can enable the horizontal member to be supported. It is preferred that the horizontal member is clamped, locked, latched, or otherwise held against rotation.

It is preferred that the spacing between the pair of legs members is adjustable. Thus, the spacing between the pair of legs members can be adjusted depending on the size of the reel. The spacing can be varied to suit, but for fencing wire, it is typical for the spacing to be between 30-100 centimetres although no particular limitation should be placed on the invention merely by this embodiment. Of course, for larger reels, the spacing may be more than 100 centimetres.

Each leg member may have a length of between 60-300 centimetres and will typically have a length of between 90-150 centimetres. Each leg member can be made of metal, plastic, fibreglass, wood, composite materials and the like. It is preferred that each leg member is made of box steel having a cross-section size of between 10-50 millimetres.

Each leg member may be length adjustable. Various methods by which this can be achieved is considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. For instance, the leg member may consist of two or more telescopic sections that can slide either within each other, or next to each other. Suitably, each leg member will consist of a first part and a second part, which can be adjustably attached to each other, or relative to each other, to allow the length to be adjusted. Typically, the adjustment length will be between 10-60 centimetres although no particular limitation is meant thereby.

Each leg member is preferably interconnected to provide a strong and stable frame assembly. In one form, a crossmember may be provided between each leg member. A plurality of crossmembers may be provided. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the upper end of each leg member is interconnected by a crossmember. The crossmember may be formed from any suitable material and will typically be formed from the same material as the leg member and therefore may comprise box steel. The crossmember may have any suitable length, which will depend, in part, on the size of the reel that is to be supported by the apparatus, or alternatively a plurality of reels may be supported. It is envisaged that the crossmember will have a length of between 40-250 centimetres although no particular limitation is meant thereby.

It is preferred that at least one leg member is adjustably mounted to the crossmember to allow the distance between the pair of legs members to be adjusted. Various methods are envisaged by which this can be achieved. For instance, the leg member may contain a bracket, a collar, a tube, a clamp, a clip, a fastener or any other type of means by which the leg member can be adjustably mounted to the crossmember. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the top of the leg member contains a horizontal tube (typically with a rectangular cross-section) that can slide along the crossmember. A locking means (typically a fastener such as a bolt) can then lock the leg member to a desired position along the crossmember.

The apparatus may contain more than one crossmember and may contain other types of strengthening members such as strut members bracket members and the like.

Similarly, each leg member may contain additional components such as strengthening members, strut members, bracket members and the like.

It is preferred that the apparatus contains at least one, and preferably a plurality of, ground wheels to enable the apparatus to be wheeled about. It is envisaged that under certain circumstances, the ground wheels may be substituted by slide members or skid members but it is considered that in most instances wheels will be desired.

Typically, the apparatus will contain a pair of spaced apart wheels. The wheels may be of any suitable type including pneumatic wheels, solid wheels, wheels with tires, wheels without tires and the like. The wheels may have a diameter of between 10-50 centimetres. The wheels may be fixed to the apparatus and typically to the frame member for rotation, or may be fitted to an axle and the like. It is preferred that the wheels are non steering wheels although it is envisaged that the wheels may also comprise “castor” type wheels or pivoting wheels.

It is preferred that the apparatus contains a pair of wheels and that a wheel is mounted to each leg member.

The wheels are preferably mounted to the frame assembly in an adjustable manner such that the wheels can move between a travelling position where the apparatus can be supported by the wheels, and a rest position where the wheels do not appreciably support the load of the apparatus. The advantage of this arrangement is that the wheels can be adjusted so that the apparatus sits firmly on the ground and therefore will not move forwardly should wire be pulled off the reel. This will be described in greater detail below.

It is considered that any mechanism or means to enable the wheels to have this advantage will fall within the scope of the present invention. In one form, the wheel may be rotatably mounted to a bracket that can be adjustably mounted to the leg member or other part of the frame assembly. The bracket may comprise a hollow box section or tubular member that can slide along the leg member to a desired position. Locking means may be provided to lock the wheel in a desired position. The locking means may comprise a fastener such as a bolt, a clamp, a pin, or any other type of means by which the wheel can be locked in position.

The apparatus may be provided with some form of reel braking means to enable some control to be exerted over the free rotation of the reel on the horizontal member. In a preferred form, the reel braking means comprises a member that can move into frictional engagement with the reel to restrict free rotation of the reel. The member may comprise a pad, a collar, and the like that can be moved into frictional engagement with the reel. Suitably, the horizontal member participates or forms part of the braking means.

The horizontal member that supports the reel may have any suitable length and will typically have a length of between 40-250 centimetres. Typically, the horizontal member will comprise an elongate cylindrical member having a diameter of between 5-50 millimetres although this can vary to suit. The horizontal member can be made of any suitable material that can bear the load of the reel and this material may include metal, plastic, wood, fibreglass, composite materials and the like.

It is preferred that the horizontal member comprises a steel rod containing an internal passageway. The internal passageway may extend entirely through the steel rod. The internal passageway may be at least partially threaded.

A handle may be provided to facilitate transportation of the trolley. The handle may be attached to the crossmember. The handle may comprise a single handle, or a plurality of handles.

The apparatus may be provided with anchor means to anchor the apparatus to the ground. The term “ground” is meant to be interpreted broadly to include anything on which the apparatus may sit. Thus, this can include a vehicle tray, and elevated platform, a shelf, as well as the ordinary interpretation of ground.

The anchor means may anchor the apparatus to the ground via the, or each leg member. Typically, the anchor means comprises an elongate rod, plate, and the like that can be attached to each leg member and which can be pinned, anchored, or otherwise held to the ground. The anchor means may also comprise a simple peg, fastener and the like that can pin the, or each leg member to the ground.

The apparatus may comprise a plurality of support means to support the horizontal member. For instance, the apparatus may comprise two pairs of support means to enable the horizontal member to be supported at two different places (typically to accommodate different diameter reels). However, it is also envisaged that this will allow the apparatus to hold two reels at the same time should there be an advantage in doing so. It is considered that more than two pairs of support means may be provided.

The apparatus may include at least one support wheel to enable the apparatus to be tilted to an angle of between the horizontal and the vertical and held at that particular angle by the support wheel to enable the apparatus to be wheeled around (see FIG. 9 for an example).

It is preferred that the apparatus can be dismantled into a relatively compact form for transportation and storage.

In another form, the invention resides in a reel of a particular design to enable wire or other flexible member to be stored on the reel. The reel may contain projections about which the wire can be wound. The projections are typically adjustable relative to each other.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following illustrations in which:

FIG. 1. Illustrates an apparatus supporting a reel of barbed wire.

FIG. 2. Illustrates the same apparatus being tipped over to enable the reel of barbed wire to be attached without needing to lift the reel above the ground surface.

FIG. 3. Illustrates a close-up view of the attachment of the horizontal member (axle) to the leg member of the frame assembly.

FIG. 4. Illustrates the apparatus supporting a cable reel.

FIG. 5. Illustrates a particular type of cable reel (where one end flange can be removed) about to be attached to the axle of the apparatus.

FIG. 6. Illustrates an anchor means to anchor the apparatus to the ground, to stop the apparatus from tipping over or moving.

FIG. 7. Illustrates a close-up view of the cable reel and the anchor means.

FIG. 8. Illustrates the ease by which the apparatus can be lifted onto the back of a vehicle.

FIG. 9. Illustrates an apparatus according to a second embodiment where the leg members are length adjustable, and where the apparatus contains support means to enable the horizontal axle to be supported at two different places on the apparatus.

FIG. 10. Illustrates how the apparatus of FIG. 9 can be disassembled into a relatively compact form.

FIG. 11. Illustrates a reel of special design to enable wire to be supported by the reel.

FIG. 12. Illustrates a close-up view of the central axle of the reel.

FIG. 13. Illustrates a close-up view of the adjustable projections (hooks) on the reel.

FIG. 14. Illustrates the adjustable projections from the other side.

FIG. 15. Illustrates an attachment for the hooks.

FIG. 16. Illustrates the attachment from the other side.

FIG. 17. Illustrates the reel of FIG. 11 on the apparatus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to the illustrations, FIGS. 1-8 illustrate generally a first embodiment of the invention (although the illustrated apparatus is shown supporting a reel of barbed wire and an empty-cable reel). FIGS. 9-10 illustrate generally a second embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 11-16 illustrate generally a particular reel design that can be fitted to the apparatus and particularly the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 9-10.

Referring initially to the first embodiment of the invention, and particularly to FIGS. 1-3, there is illustrated an apparatus that can be used to support a reel of barbed wire or any other type of material.

The apparatus comprises a frame assembly, which in the particular embodiment consists of a pair of leg members 11, 12 which are interconnected at their upper ends by a horizontal crossmember 13. Each leg member, and the crossmember is made of steel box section having a cross-section size of between 1-4 centimetres. Each leg member has a length of between 80-120 centimetres and the crossmember has a length of between 50-100 centimetres. Of course, the sizes are according to a preferred embodiment of the invention and are not meant to be limiting.

The top of each leg member is fitted with a transverse collar 14, which can slide over crossmember 13, which means that the spacing between the leg members can be adjusted. A locking bolt 15 (best illustrated in FIG. 2) can be used to lock the leg member at the desired position on crossmember 13. This adjustability between the leg members enables different size reels to be supported by the apparatus.

A handle 46 is attached to cross member 13.

Each leg member has a substantially triangular shaped lower portion, which comprises a pair of diverging members 16, 17 interconnected by a lower crossmember 18. This arrangement provides a “footprint” for the apparatus to enable the apparatus to sit solidly on the ground and to be resistant to tipping over. If desired, further stabilising members may be provided and these may comprise angle iron pieces extending from the leg members.

Further stabilisation can be provided by other stays or members that can be attached to another part of the apparatus, such as the top to provide further stability.

The apparatus contains a pair of wheels 19, 20. Each wheel is rotatably mounted to a stub axle (not illustrated) which is attached to a collar 21 (see FIG. 2). The collar is slidably movable along member 16 to enable the position of each wheel to be adjusted. Again, a locking bolt 22 is provided to lock the collar, and therefore the wheel, in the desired position. Basically, the wheel can be adjusted between a “lower” position where the wheel can take the load of the apparatus and where the apparatus can be wheeled about, and an “upper” position where the “footprint” of the apparatus can sit solidly on the ground without the wheels getting in the way. Thus, the apparatus can be wheeled to a desired position, and the wheels can then be slid upwardly along member 16 until the wheels do not appreciably touch the ground after which the apparatus sits solidly on the ground and the barbed wire can be pulled of the reel without the apparatus moving forwardly.

A horizontal member (hereinafter called axle) supports the barbed wire reel 23. The axle 24 comprises an elongate tube. The tube has an internal through passageway 26 (see FIG. 3) which is partially threaded, and this arrangement forms part of the reel brake that will be described in greater detail below. The axle is typically made of steel or like material and has a length to enable it to span between the pair of leg members 11, 12.

The axle 24 is supported by each leg member 11, 12 via a support 25. The support 25 is best illustrated in FIG. 3 and comprises a bush 27. The bush contains a locking bolt 28A that can be wound down to lock axle 24 to the bush 25. Bush 25 is supported by a steel bracket 28 which is welded to the particular leg member.

Between the barbed wire reel 23 and bush 27 is a nylon guard 29, which contains a through passageway to enable axle 24 to pass through the nylon guard. The nylon guard 29 can be pressed against the side of reel 23 to provide a friction type braking action to prevent over rotation of the reel as will be described in greater detail below.

The apparatus allows a quite heavy reel of barbed wire to be attached and lifted without needing to lift the reel off the ground. Referring to FIG. 2, it can be seen that the reel of barbed wire is on the ground. The horizontal axle 24 has been removed from the apparatus, and the apparatus can be tipped over from the generally upright position illustrated in FIG. 1 to a generally horizontal position where the apparatus has been tipped onto the ground (not illustrated). During this process, the support 25 (which supports the horizontal axle 24) can be aligned with the opening in the barbed wire reel, and axle 24 can then be pushed through the barbed wire reel and through each support 25. The apparatus can then be tipped back to the vertical position illustrated in FIG. 1, which will lift the barbed wire reel off the ground. This design enables a single person to attach and lift quite heavy reels (that may be more than 50-100 kilograms in weight). During this process, the spacing between leg members 11, 12 can also be adjusted such that the apparatus can pass over each side of the reel (see FIG. 2).

FIGS. 4-7 illustrates an apparatus which is more or less identical to the apparatus of FIGS. 1-3 except that instead of the barbed wire reel, there is provided a light metal cable reel 30. This type of reel is generally well known. However, in the present invention, reel 30 has been modified (see FIG. 5) to enable one side flange 31 to be removed. Specifically, this side flange 31 is connected to an internal hub 32 that slides within the main external hub 33 of reel 30, which also provides a degree of length of adjustability. This particular type of reel is suited for a loose coil of wire that can be placed onto hub 30, but to do so, one side flange needs to be removed. Typically, the wire is on the ground, the reel is split and passed through each end of the wire spool.

FIG. 5 illustrates attachment of reel 30 onto the apparatus. As this reel is lightweight, the apparatus does not need to be tipped over, and the reel can be simply lifted off the ground, and axle 24 can be pushed through the reel and into engagement with each support 25 on each leg member. FIGS. 4-6 also particularly illustrate the nylon guards 29 (these can also function as spacers and bushes to space the reel). These guards function to provide a braking action on reel 30. Specifically, attached to axle 24 is a handle 35. Handle 35 contains a relatively long shaft 36. As mentioned previously, axle 24 contains a through passageway 26, which is threaded on both ends (see FIG. 3). A rod (not illustrated) passes through passageway 26, and one end of the rod is pinned at the far side by a pin 37 (see FIG. 3). Shaft 36 is threadingly attached to the other end of the rod. Handle 35 contains a collar 38. The construction and arrangement is that the handle can be attached to the rod which extends through axle 24, and because the far end of the rod is pinned by pin 37, rotation of handle 35 will ultimately cause collar 38 to abut against the outside of leg member 12 and will cause the leg member to be pushed inwardly. This, in turn, causes the nylon guide 29 to be pressed against the outer wall of reel 30 cause a braking action on the reel. The braking action is caused by frictional contact between the nylon guide 29 and the reel 30. The amount of frictional contact can be adjusted by the amount of turning of handle 35. FIG. 7 illustrates handle 35 almost fully wound up and particularly shows how collar 38 is pressing up against member 12 (or more correctly against the bracket 28 that supports bush 27 that is part of support 25 through which axle 24 passes).

It is also possible to connect multiple axles together, or to add an extension to the axle to make the axle longer. It may be necessary to also extend the top crossmember to suit.

From time to time, it may be necessary to anchor the apparatus to the ground to prevent it from tipping over. This may be particularly so if long lengths of wire are removed from the reel. Thus, the apparatus can be provided with an anchor means, which is best illustrated in FIG. 6. The anchor means comprises a length of box steel 39 containing an extending pin 40 on each side (which allows the lifting arms of a tractor to be attached if desired). The length of box steel 39 contains one fixed pin 41 that passes through an opening in the bottom of a leg member, and contains one sliding pin 42 that can slide along the length of box steel 39 until it is aligned with the opening 43 in the other leg member. This adjustability allows the anchor means to accommodate different spacings between the leg members. The length of box steel 39 contains ground brackets 44 to enable the device to be bolted or otherwise secured to the ground. However, the apparatus can be quite easily simply lifted from the pins when the anchor is no longer required.

FIG. 8 illustrates how easy it is to lift the apparatus onto the back of a vehicle.

FIGS. 9-10 illustrates a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the apparatus again comprises a pair of spaced apart leg members 50, 51 that can be adjustably mounted to an upper horizontal cross member 52 in the manner described above. In this second embodiment, each leg member 50, 51 is also length adjustable. Thus, each leg member contains a lower first part 53 and a second upper part 54. These parts are attached to each other at 55, but in the manner that allows the length to be adjusted. The second embodiment also shows that each leg member is provided with two supports 56, 57 that enables an axle (not illustrated) to be supported at two different positions on the apparatus.

The apparatus includes a lower main pair of wheels 58 similar to that described in the first embodiment, but also includes a third support wheel 59 which is attached to an adjustable support 60, which itself is clamped to cross member 52. This enables the apparatus to be tilted backwardly as illustrated in FIG. 9 and wheeled from place to place. The degree of angle can be adjusted by a small locking bolt 60A.

The apparatus contains an auxiliary brake, which in the particular embodiment comprises a springloaded braking wheel 61. The auxiliary brake is particularly suited to provide additional control to stop overspin of the large reel which is illustrated in FIGS. 11-16 where the brake on the hub may not be sufficient.

FIGS. 11-16 illustrate a reel of a special design and which is adapted to be supported by the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 9-10. The reel 70 comprises an annular rim 71 made of steel tube and having a diameter of between 1-3 metres. Two bisecting cross members 72, 73 comprise part of reel 70 and support a central axle 74. Axle 74 can be attached to the apparatus of FIGS. 9-10. Each cross member 72, 73 contains spaced apart projections 75 about which wire can be wound. In this particular embodiment, the projections comprise hooks. Importantly, the spacing between the projections 75 on each cross member can be adjusted. This is achieved by attaching projections 75 (in this particular embodiment hooks) onto a backing plate 76 (see FIG. 12) and having the backing plate 76 slidably mounted along the particular cross member. The degree of sliding movement is governed by a threaded rod 77 (see particularly FIGS. 12-14. The top of each threaded rod has a small finger plate 78 to allow the rod to be turned, thereby adjusting the spacing of projections 75 on the particular cross member.

It may be useful to provide an attachment 80 (see FIGS. 15-16) that attaches to projections 75 and enables wire to be wound from the ground. This is best illustrated in FIG. 17 which shows the reel of FIGS. 11-16 attached to the apparatus. To enable wire (such as barbed wire 85) to be picked up from the ground, the attachment 80 is attached to each set of hooks. The attachment 80 is positioned such that its upper edge 86 is in line with rim 71. In use, the apparatus can be gripped by handle 87 and pushed forwardly such that the line of barbed wire 85 which is on the ground is between the two wheels, but to one side of rim 71. Rim 71 is ground engaging such that pushing the apparatus forwardly causes the rim to roll over the ground and therefore causes the reel to rotate and to pick up the barbed wire 85 from the ground. The upper edge 86 of attachment 80 passes over the top of the barbed wire on the ground and the barbs on the barbed wire catch against upper edge 86 and are therefore progressively rolled onto the reel. When the wire has been rolled onto the reel, the apparatus can be stood up to the upright position which now allows the reel to rotate without striking the ground.

The auxiliary brake 61 (see FIG. 17) is positioned such that the wheel on the auxiliary brake rides over each attachment 80 when the attachment comes into contact with the wheel. This allows some form of rotational control to be made. The exact position of the wheel can be adjusted to provide a greater or lesser degree of rotational control.

It is envisaged that the reel may be mounted in a fixed manner to the central axle such that if the axle can be rotated by a motor, this will cause the reel to rotate. Thus, another version of the invention can have a motor rotating the central axle which will cause the reel to rotate and to pick up the barbed wire.

The apparatus overcomes many of the disadvantages with existing devices. The apparatus is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, is relatively compact and very rugged. The apparatus is adjustable to accommodate different sized reels. The apparatus can provide a braking effect on the reels to prevent over rotation. Heavy reels can be lifted and supported by the apparatus without needing to lift the reel directly. This enables a single person to do the work that previously needed to be done by two people. The apparatus is portable and can be wheeled from place to place, but if necessary to wheels can be adjusted such that the apparatus sits directly on the ground. The apparatus can be disassembled into a very compact form.

In one use, a reel of barbed wire can be supported by the apparatus, and the apparatus can be wheeled to a particular area. The wheels can then be adjusted such that the frame sits firmly on the ground. If desired, a ground anchor or ground stake can be used to pin the frame to the ground. The barbed wire can then be pulled off the reel if a person walks from one strainer post to the other pulling the barbed wire by hand. The arrangement prevents the apparatus from tipping over or following the person. Alternatively, the barbed wire can be attached to a post and the person can simply wheel the apparatus to the second post causing the barbed wire to be unwound. Alternatively, the apparatus can be mounted to a vehicle or a tractor and the vehicle/tractor can be moved to unroll the wire.

Throughout the specification and the claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise”, or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to apply the inclusion of the stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

Throughout the specification and claims (if present), unless the context requires otherwise, the term “substantially” or “about” will be understood to not be limited to the value for the range qualified by the terms.

It should be appreciated that various other changes and modifications can be made to any embodiment described without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

1-10. (canceled)
 11. An apparatus to support a reel for rotation, the apparatus comprising a horizontal member about which the reel can be mounted for rotation, a frame assembly to support the horizontal member above the ground such that the reel can rotate without striking the ground, the frame assembly being rotatable between a raised position where an attached reel can rotate without striking the ground, and a lowered position where the horizontal member can pass through a reel that is on the ground to enable the reel to be attached to the horizontal member without lifting the reel off the ground, and braking means to control rotation of the reel on the horizontal member.
 12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the frame assembly comprises a pair of leg members, and a cross member, the leg members being adjustably mounted to the cross member to enable the spacing between the leg members to be varied.
 13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein a ground wheel is attached to the lower part of each leg member.
 14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ground wheel is adjustably mounted to the leg member to be movable between a lowered position where the ground wheel is able to support the remainder of the apparatus, and an upper position where the ground wheel is raised above the ground.
 15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the braking means is on each side of the reel.
 16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 15, wherein the braking means comprises a guard adapted for frictional engagement with the reel to control rotation of the reel.
 17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein each leg member comprises a first part and a second part that are adjustably attached to each other to enable the length of each leg member to be adjusted.
 18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, including a reel, the reel comprising an annular rim, and a pair of cross members, a central axle supported by each cross member, the axle adapted to be supported for rotation by the apparatus, each cross member containing a pair of spaced apart projections about which a wire can be wound, the pair of spaced apart projections being adjustably mounted relative to each other to enable the spacing between the projections to, be varied.
 19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 18, wherein each projection is mounted to a bracket, the bracket being slidably mounted to the cross member.
 20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19 including a threaded rod to which the bracket is mounted whereby rotation of the threaded rod causes movement of the bracket.
 21. The apparatus of claim 11, comprising at least two reels mounted to the horizontal member mounted to the horizontal member. 